Chesapeake Home

Growing up, Peter W. Ratcliffe’s father, renowned architect Donald B. Ratcliffe, told his son not to pursue architecture. “My father loved what he did, but he thought architecture was a tough business,” Peter says. “He did not want me to go into it.”
But Peter didn’t listen and eventually became principal of Ratcliffe Architects in Stevenson, [...]

It all began with a walk down the street. When Gina Fitzsimmons, ASID was a preteen growing up in Laurel, Maryland, she would often gaze into her neighbors’ apartments while walking home after her babysitting jobs. “The rooms were all the same layout, but they were designed differently. It was just amazing to me,” Fitzsimmons [...]

There are many sides to Mark White, owner of Kitchen Encounters in Annapolis, that are not immediately apparent. When he is not busy designing award-winning kitchens, White is educating the next generation on kitchen and bath design at Anne Arundel Community College. And when he’s not in the kitchen or the classroom, you may find [...]

Jeff Penza, principal of Penza Bailey Architects, is passionate about design.
The mantra “design matters” is proudly displayed on the back wall of the Baltimore firm’s office. It’s a philosophy Penza carries with him on every project—whether it’s a historic home, custom addition, or a much-needed renovation.
“I wish the American public had a better appreciation for [...]

A self-described Energizer Bunny, Kristin Peake, principal of Kristin Peake Interiors in Rockville, Maryland, never stops. Whether it’s in her role as a wife, mother of two young girls or a business owner, Peake is constantly on the move. “I love what I do,” she says. “I never stop thinking about it.”
Peake, an Annapolis native, [...]

For Mike Baldwin, president of Baldwin Homes in Arnold, Maryland, going green isn’t just a trendy catchphrase, it’s a way of life. For more than 20 years, Baldwin has been in the business of building homes and recently shifted his focus toward building quality energy efficient ones.
Baldwin’s Emerson Eco-Model home at the new, sustainable development [...]

Rob Brennan, AIA, principal of Brennan + Company Architects in Catonsville, Maryland has been a practicing architect for almost 30 years on residential, educational, and community projects in the Baltimore/Washington region. Originally from Connecticut, Brennan graduated with a Master of Architecture and Certificate in Historic Preservation from the University of Virginia. He moved to Catonsville [...]

James “Jim” F. Rill, AIA is not your average architect in practice or in person. His imposing physical stature can only be matched by his intelligence and his passion for environmentally-sensitive architecture. Not only a gifted architect, he is also a talented athlete and was even signed by the New England Patriots right out of [...]